Infantino deems attack on referee in Turkey as ‘completely unacceptable’

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has addressed the assault on referee Halil Umut Meler that occurred during a Turkish league match.

Infantino commented on the situation vehemently expressing his views on the unacceptable turn of events. He said, “There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the field.” This comes after the events following the Süper Lig match between MKE Ankaragücü and Çaykur Rizespor, which Infantino described as “totally unacceptable”.

He emphasized the vital role of match officials in football, stating that without them, there is no game. This was in reference to the assault that involved Umut Meler, describing it as an action that finds “no place in our sport or in our society”.

Infantino also highlighted the importance of safety for everyone involved in the game, including referees, players, fans, and staff.

He is quoted as saying, “…everyone must be safe to enjoy the game”. He urged relevant authorities to ensure this safety is “strictly implemented and respected at all levels”. His strongly-worded statement was an explicit call to action for football governing bodies to prioritise safety in the sport.